A first hosepipe ban since 1996 hits Wilmslow tomorrow, Friday, to combat the region’s worst drought in decades.

United Utilities is introducing the restriction on sprinklers and hosepipes in households throughout Cheshire following the driest start to a year for more than 70 years.

It was revealed last week that a ban was looming because of the low level of local reservoirs such as Trentabank (right) in Macclesfield Forest, with meteorologists claiming two months of rain was needed in just a few days.

The water company has decided the ban is necessary after initially hoping for more rainfall.

John Sanders, United Utilities water regulation and strategy manager, said: "It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but a hosepipe can use as much water in an hour as a family of four would use in one day.

"This ban will help us to safeguard essential water supplies to our customers if the drought continues.

"Despite some recent rainfall in the north of the region, reservoir levels are still significantly lower than we would expect at this time of year and are now at a point where we need to impose some temporary restrictions on our customers."

Residents will still be able to wash their cars using a bucket and water their garden with a watering can when the ban comes into force at 6am.